Interlocked conversion for a convertible cleaner

ABSTRACT

A convertible cleaner having valve conversion to selectively modify the cleaner for on-the-floor or tool hose operation includes a dial which is actuated to move the valve. The dial has means movable therewith which block hose removal until the conversion valve has been positioned again in its on-the-floor mode.

United States Patent Boyd et al. 1 1 Mar. 11, 1975 1 1 INTERLOCKEDCONVERSION FOR A 2.53.599 11/1920 Loether .7 285/7 x 2,6 ,953 l 19 4Maroney ct al... 403/316 CONVERTIBLE CLEANER 3,016,559 1/1962 Holtzclaw15/331 X [75] Inventors: Wilton E. Boyd; David B. 3,300,806 1/1967Ripple 15/334 Rennecker, both of Canton, Ohio 3,314,039 4/1967 Opper285/7 X [73] Assignee: The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio PrimaryExaminer-Harvey C. l-lornsby [22] Filed Nov 16 1973 AssistantExaminer-Arthur 0. Henderson [21] Appl. No.: 416,345

[57] ABSTRACT 2% 15/334 ila gfz A convertible cleaner having valveconversion to se- 331 332 lectively modify the cleaner for on-the-flooror tool 1 o jggl 'j' 3 hose operation includes a dial which is actuatedto move the valve. The dial has means movable therewith References Citedwhich block hose removal until the conversion valve has been positionedagain in its on-the-floor mode 10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED 13,869,751

SHEU 1 BF 5 CARPET SUCTIOIT\ /TOOL SUCTION PAT R I ENIEU H975 3.869.751

sum 3 BF 5 PATENTEB 3.869.751

SHEET b 0F 5 CARPET SUCTION TOOL SUCTION O w 7W PATENTEU H975 3.869.751sumsm s ON TOOL SUCTION INTERLOCKED CONVERSION FOR A CONVERTIBLE CLEANERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to floor care appliances and, more specifically, relates to aconvertible cleaner having manually actuated valve means to convert thecleaner from on-the-floor to tool hose operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art Although a variety of conversionarrangements for placing a convertible cleaner in its modes of operationare known that alter some function of the cleaner other than air flow,no cleaner has heretofore been known which utilizes movement of the modeindicating and initiating dial to insure placing of the cleaner intoonthe-floor or carpet suction operation before permitting hose release.

This can be an especially important feature because the averagehousewife, when converting to the carpet suction mode, has a tendency toonly remove the tool hose, while neglecting to concommitantly move thecleaner conversion valve to a corresponding position. The housewife thenpushes the convertible cleaner over the floor and notices that no dirtpick up is occur ing. All too often a service call to the localrepairman is next engendered since there is no positive mechanicalindicator for the housewife to remind her as to the fact that theconvertible cleaner is operating correctly but is still in the tool hosemode.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an interlockarrangement in a convertible cleaner to insure that proper and completeconversion from tool hose operation to on-the-floor operation occurred.

It would also be advantageous to make such an inter lock feature act soas to interfere with hose removal unless proper conversion valveplacement had taken place.

It would be a further advantage if the interlock positively acted so asto block releasing of the suction hose until the conversion valve hadagain been placed in the carpet suction or on-the-floor mode.

It would be a still further advantage if the interlock arrangement wasinter-related with the conversion valve dial so as to insure hoserelease upon proper dial indexing indication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is provided in a convertiblecleaner such as is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,300,806 inwhich a port communicates with the suction cleaner housing envelopingthe dirt-collecting bag. Communication with this port, alternately is(1) an externally disposed tool hose connection or (2) a hose extendingto and connected with the floor-engaging wheeled nozzle utilized foron-the-floor or carpet suction operation.

Alternate connection for these two functional uses is made by manualrotation of a substantially C-shaped valve part that is always incommunication with the bag containing housing through one of its opensides, and can be moved so as to block off or open either the tool hoseor on-the-floor connections. Thus, manual conversion of the cleaner maybe easily had by manual manipulation of the C-shaped valve part.

In the instant application, this manipulation is effectively afforded bythe use of a manually movable indicating dial that is mounted on theouter side of the housing for the dirt-collecting bag and having a screwconnecting it with the C-shaped valve part so that they rotate inunison. Indexing means may be provided on this outer side of the baghousing by imprinting, scoring or the like so that the dial may bepositively positioned in one of a series of suction regulating positionssuch as Maximum or Minimum" for each of the carpet suction and toolsuction supplying conditions.

Also disposed outwardly of the dirt-collecting bag housing is a blockingmeans fixed to rotate with the dial so that its configured structureinterferes with and prevents removal of the tool mounting suctioncleaning hose utilized for off-the-floor operation. This is efficientlyaccomplished in the following manner.

The hose connection for the suction cleaning tool hose includesdiametrically oppositely disposed male bayonet connecting parts thatpass through slots extending transversely of a bore formed in the baghousing that receives the generally circular configuration of the end ofthe hose coupling. After insertion, the hose coupling is turned in aconventional manner to lock the male bayonet members behind aconventional locking lip in the bag housing. The dial for conversion isrotated so that the cleaner is placed in the hose mode. At this locationof the valve dial, the blocking means carried by the dial interfereswith hose removal by interfering engagement with a lug means formed onthe hose coupling.

This arrangement, then, gives a positive reminder to the housewife-userthat the cleaner is in the tool suction mode. Conversion to on-the-flooror suction carpet operation, of course, requires movement of the valvedial to alignment with the on-the-floor or carpet suction indicia on thebag housing, at which time the tool hose may be romoved since theblocking means has been rotatably removed from interference with thetool hose coupling mounted lug.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference may now be had to theaccompanying drawings for a better understanding of the invention, bothas to its organization andfunction, with the illustration being of threeexemplary embodiments and in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a convertible cleaner housingand disconnected suction hose of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of that portion of the cleaner shownin FIG. 1 and with the hose connected and shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the first embodiment ofthe invention taken generally on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, elevational, fragmentary view of the firstembodiment of the invention taken generally on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, elevational, fragmentary view of the firstembodiment of the invention taken generally on line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, elevational, fragmentary view of the firstembodiment of the invention taken generally on line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional, elevational view, with certain parts brokenaway, taken on line 77 of FIG. 2 and showing the conversion valve in thetool suction mode;

FIG. 8 is like FIG. 7 but shows the conversion valve in the carpetsuction mode;

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 2, but showing a second embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 3, but showing the second embodiment of theinvention and taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is also a view like FIG. 2, but showing a third embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 3, but showing the third embodiment of theinvention and taken generally on line 12-l2 of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Withspecific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it can be seen thata cleaner bag retaining housing 10, shown only fragmentarily, of anupright convertible cleaner 11 has attached thereto a rotatable dial 12including a blocking means 14 and an indicator 16 that is orientedrelative to an indicia means 18 imprinted on the cleaner bag retaininghousing 10. The cleaner bag retaining housing 10 also includes a hosereceiving port 20 into which is insertable hose end coupler 22. Thecleaner bag retaining housing 10 and its relation to the remainder ofthe cleaner 11 are not shown but may be assumed old in the art, the samebeing shown, for example, in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,300,806.

A conversion valve arrangement 24 (e.g., FIGS. 7 and 8), similar to theconversion valve arrangement of U.S. Pat. No. 3,300,806 is also utilizedin the cleaner 11 for conversion purposes to convert from tool suctionto on-the-floor operation. This conversion valve arrangement includes aC-shaped valve member 26, pivotally mounted with a screw 28 so as to bemovable from one extreme position shown in FIG. 7, with the open part ofthe C-shaped valve member 26 wholly communicating with first a housingportion 30, formed around hose coupling port 20, to a second extremeposition shown in FIG. 8 wherein the open part of the C- shaped valvemember 26 wholly communicates with a second housing portion 32. Thesecond housing portion 32, as is shown in the aforementioned patent, maybe conveniently connected to a suction hose extending to and inconfluentcommunication with a floor-engaging nozzle. The details of thesestructural features may, of course, be seen very clearly in U.S. Pat.No. 3,300,806.

The flow of suction dirt-laden air moves inwardly, then, through eitherthe first or second housing portion 30 or 32, respectively, dependent oncleaner mode, to the C-shaped valve member 26 and transversely throughit into the cleaner bag retainer housing 10 by means of a transverselyextending conduit piece 34 (FIG. 3) which also serves as an innercapping means disposed over, both, housing portions 30 and 32 and avalve housing portion 36 for C-shaped valve member 26. Conveniently, thehousing portions 30, 32 and 36 may be molded in the inner surface ofcleaner bag retaining housing 10 so that they, along with the innercapping means, forms a closed volumetric configuration providing foreffective functioning of the C-shaped valve member 26.

In order to provide less than full suction, in either mode, for thecleaner 11, the C-shaped valve member 26 is capable of being positionedintermediate its extreme positions; at which time, it providescommunication between the interior of cleaner bag retaining housing 10,through conduit piece 34, and both the second housing portion 32 (carpetsuction) and the hose part 20 (tool suction). In such position,dependent on whether the dial 12 is in the tool suction mode or theon-the-floor mode, the slighter communication afforded to the alternatemode serves as a bleed limiting and modifying the suction available fordirt pick up in the chosen mode.

The C-shaped valve member 26, in the intermediate positions, ispositively maintained by the friction generated between an abutting face38 of it and a feltwasher 40 captured between this face and the cleanerbag retaining housing 10. At its limits of travel, C-shaped valve member26 is also positively limited by an integral tab 42 engaging the ends ofan arcuate segmental groove 44 formed on housing 10. Thus, the C-shapedvalve member 26 may be adjusted through a multiplicity of positions withpositive limitations at its maximum clockwise and counter-clockwisepositions.

Dial 12 is fixed to rotate with the C-shaped valve member 26 by theinclusion of an integral, inwardly directed stub shaft 46, formed ondial'l2, the stub shaft including a flat 48 so that the stub shaft maybe nonrotatably inserted in a similarly shaped bore 50 formed in a stubportion 52 of C-shaped valve member 26. A bore 53, formed inbag-retaining housing 10, permits stub portion 52 to extend through thethickness of bagretaining housing 10 to provide for insertion therein ofstub shaft 46 of dial 12.

A securing means in the form of a screw 28 is then inserted throughC-shaped valve member 26 in the area of stub portion 52 and screwinglytightened to dial 12 in a threaded bore 54 in stub shaft 46 of dial 12.Thus, the dial 12 and C-shaped valve part 26 rotate in unison with thevalve part then capable of manual actuation by manual operation of thedial l2. Blocking means 14 is also mounted with dial 12 by the samebeing captured between an inner face 56, formed on dia] 12, and an outerface 58 formed by the termination of stub portion 52. Because of itslocation, blocking means 14 includes a bore 60 for the inserted passageof stub shaft 46 of dial 12. A lock washer 62 may be mounted withblocking means 14 to insure tight clamping engagment of it and therebynon-rotatable capture of the blocking means between the aforesaid faces56, 58 respectively.

Blocking means 14 takes the form of a sector of a circle to provide whatcan be thought of as a circular segment 64 that includes a horizontallyoffset, perimeter lip 66, smoothly joined to the remainder of thecircular segment 64 by a tapering section 68. The tapering section 68extends, generally, the width of the offset between the major portion ofcircular segment 64 and perimeter lip 66. The edge of perimeter lip 66,then, as will become apparent, serves as the actual interferingstructure to prevent removal of hose and coupler 22. It should be notedthat this edge is concentric with its pivot formed by the axis ofturning of stub portion 52 (dial 12 is not) and only provides theaforesaid interference when properly rotated to an interfering position(the full line position of FIG. 2, for example).

Turning now to the hose end coupler 22, it can be seen that it includesa pair of diametrically opposed male bayonet members 70, 70 which, uponinsertion of hose end coupler 22, are aligned with slots 72, 72 in port20 so that the hose end coupling 22 may be connected to the cleaner 11.As is conventional, a stepped lip 74 on the rear side of the port 20provides a stop 76 for arresting the clockwise (preferred) rotation ofhose end coupler 22 after insertion. The hose end coupler could, ofcourse, also be rotated counterclockwise to engage within the port 20,at which time it would engage against a stop similar to the stop 76. Atthis time the male bayonet members 70, 70 are securely held behind thestepped lip 74 (indicated at 71), with a face 78 of the hose and coupler22 held in compressing engagement with the front side of bag housing 10.

The hose end coupler 22 also includes a pair of diametrically opposedand laterally extending lugs or tabs 80, 80 which serve as the abutmentmeans with which the edge of lip 66 of blocking means 14 interferes.These tabs are spaced a slight distance outwardly from face 78 so as tohave at least a part of their horizontal extent vertically aligned withthe edge of lip 66. Thus, with the hose end coupler 22 inserted andlocked in the position illustrated in FIG. 2, and the dial 12 in thetool suction mode, the upper tab 80 cannot be rotated past blockingmeans 14 (full line position of FIG. 2) because of abutting interferencetherewith. This abutting interference persists until dial 12 is rotatedcounterclockwise to close to maximum carpet suction (the chain dottedline position of FIG. 2), at which time blocking means 14 has movedrightwardly of the upper tab 80 so that counter-clockwise rotation (orclockwise rotation, if this is required) of hose end coupling 22 is notimpeded. The male bayonet members 70, 70 can then again be aligned withslots 72, 72 for removal of hose end coupler 22.

Operation of the interlocking arrangement should now be clearlyunderstood. With the hose end coupler 22 in engaged, suctioncommunicating position so that the cleaner is in the tool suction mode,conversion to on-the-floor, carpet suction operation is made in thefollowing manner. Dial 12 is turned counter-clockwise from the toolsuction position to the maximum carpet suction position thus moving theconversion valve 24 so as to provide suction communication betweencleaner bag retaining housing and the floor nozzle (not shown) of thecleaner 11. Movement of the dial 12 to this position also moves blockingmeans 14 counterclockwise so that the same cannot interfere with removalof hose end coupling 22. Hose end coupling 22 is then rotated in therequisite direction to align slots 72, 72 with lugs 70, 70 and the hoseend coupling removed. The user may then utilize the cleaner for floorcleaning.

In the next two embodiments of the invention, as compared to the justdescribed embodiment, like numbers are utilized to indicate like partsand primed numbers are utilized to indicate modified parts.

Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10 which illustrate the second embodiment ofthe invention, it can be seen that a blocking means 14 has been providedmounted integrally with a dial 12', by making the same of largerdiameter than the dial 12 of the first embodiment.

Again, a housing 10 has the dial 12 mounted thereon in a manner similarto the first embodiment, however, the dial 12 is mounted centrally bythe mounting screw so as to rotate around a centerline 82 so that itsturning motion is not eccentric but merely overlaps a lug 80 on hose endcoupler 22'.

A slot 84 in dial l2 permits the lug 80' to move outwardly of the dial12 when the dial 12' is in the carpet suction maximum mode and the malebayonet members 70, have been rotated to their full line position shownin FIG. 9. It should be noted that in the dotted line position (FIG. 9),the male bayonet members 70, 70 are captured behind the housing cover 10so that hose end coupler 22 cannot be removed from its connection to thecleaner 11' even though lug in this dotted position is unobstructed bythe dial 12'.

Turning now to FIGS. 11 and 12, in which is illustrated a thirdembodiment of the invention, it can be seen that a dial 12" is mountedeccentrically on an axis 86 by a screwed arrangement such as is shown inthe first embodiment of the invention so that the lug 80' is notobstructed by dial 12" in the full line position thereof, but isobstructed when the dial 12" is turned into the tool suction mode andthe larger offset portion of dial 12" is generally located at a bottomedcondition.

Again, hose end coupler 22" cannot be removed from cleaner 11 in thedotted line position of lug 80, since the tabs 70, in this position(indicated at 71') are locked behind the bag housing 10.

It should be clear from the aforesaid description that interlockedconversion has been provided in which dial conversion of a convertervalve is required for release of a tool hose, thereby insuring that thehousewife user will place the cleaner in the carpet suction mode whenthe same is desired, if only to enable removal of the tool hose.Further, it should be noted, that many modifications could be made tothe inventive embodiments disclosed while still remaining in its spiritand purview.

What is claimed is:

1. An interlock means for a convertible cleaner including;

a. a conversion valve for providing a carpet suction mode and a toolsuction mode,

b. a manually actuatable means for actuating said conversion valve,

c. a hose coupling connectable to said convertible cleaner, and

d. blocking means movable with said manually actuatable means forblocking disconnection of said hose coupling.

2. An interlock means for a convertible cleaner as set out in claim 1wherein;

a. said blocking means permits disconnection of said hose coupling whensaid conversion valve is in said carpet suction mode.

3. A convertible cleaner having a connectable tool hose fittingincluding;

a. a conversion valve for providing a carpet suction mode and a toolsuction mode for said convertible cleaner,

b. means for actuating said conversion valve,

c. one of said conversion valve and said means for actuating saidconversion valve including blocking means,

d. said blocking means operative to prevent disconnection of said toolhose fitting in tool suction mode and operative to permit disconnectionof said tool hose fitting in carpet suction mode.

4. The convertible cleaner set out in claim 3 wherein;

a. said means for actuating said conversion valve is a dial, and

b. said blocking means moves with said dial to provide blocking andunblocking positions.

5. The convertible cleaner set out in claim 3 wherein;

a. said blocking means takes the form of a disc-like member, and

b. said disc-like member rotates into an obstructing or an unobstructingposition relative to removal of said tool hose fitting.

6. The convertible cleaner set out in claim 3 wherein said tool hosefitting includes;

a. laterally extending lug means, and b. said blocking means, in oneposition, interferes with movement of said lug means thereby prevent- 1ing disconnection of said tool hose fitting.

7. The convertible cleaner set out in claim 3 wherein;

a. said means for actuating said conversion valve is a dial, and

b. said dial carries said blocking means so that movement of said dialcauses concommitant movement of said blocking means.

and engagement with said convertible cleaner.

1. An interlock means for a convertible cleaner including; a. aconversion valve for providing a carpet suction mode and a tool suctionmode, b. a manually actuatable means for actuating said conversionvalve, c. a hose coupling connectable to said convertible cleaner, andd. blocking means movable with said manually actuatable means forblocking disconnection of said hose coupling.
 1. An interlock means fora convertible cleaner including; a. a conversion valve for providing acarpet suction mode and a tool suction mode, b. a manually actuatablemeans for actuating said conversion valve, c. a hose couplingconnectable to said convertible cleaner, and d. blocking means movablewith said manually actuatable means for blocking disconnection of saidhose coupling.
 2. An interlock means for a convertible cleaner as setout in claim 1 wherein; a. said blocking means permits disconnection ofsaid hose cOupling when said conversion valve is in said carpet suctionmode.
 3. A convertible cleaner having a connectable tool hose fittingincluding; a. a conversion valve for providing a carpet suction mode anda tool suction mode for said convertible cleaner, b. means for actuatingsaid conversion valve, c. one of said conversion valve and said meansfor actuating said conversion valve including blocking means, d. saidblocking means operative to prevent disconnection of said tool hosefitting in tool suction mode and operative to permit disconnection ofsaid tool hose fitting in carpet suction mode.
 4. The convertiblecleaner set out in claim 3 wherein; a. said means for actuating saidconversion valve is a dial, and b. said blocking means moves with saiddial to provide blocking and unblocking positions.
 5. The convertiblecleaner set out in claim 3 wherein; a. said blocking means takes theform of a disc-like member, and b. said disc-like member rotates into anobstructing or an unobstructing position relative to removal of saidtool hose fitting.
 6. The convertible cleaner set out in claim 3 whereinsaid tool hose fitting includes; a. laterally extending lug means, andb. said blocking means, in one position, interferes with movement ofsaid lug means thereby preventing disconnection of said tool hosefitting.
 7. The convertible cleaner set out in claim 3 wherein; a. saidmeans for actuating said conversion valve is a dial, and b. said dialcarries said blocking means so that movement of said dial causesconcommitant movement of said blocking means.
 8. The convertible cleanerset out in claim 3 wherein; a. said blocking means takes the form of asector, and b. said tool hose fitting includes transversely extendinglug means.
 9. The convertible cleaner set out in claim 8 wherein; a.said blocking means prevents turning of said tool hose fitting byabutting engagement with said lug means.